Stream 4 Actions Progress Report
- Pipeline Abandonment - Physical Issues

4.1 Principles for End-State of Land

Draft principles were released for comment; final principles to be published as an amendment to the Guidance Notes that accompany the Onshore Pipeline Regulations and a reference placed in the NEB Filing Manual. Estimated timing to complete the Action: Draft principles by January 2009; Final principles by Summer 2009.

Completed Tasks:

Draft Principles for End-State of Land [Filing A22297]

4.2 Clarify Board's Jurisdiction

Advisory letter to parties. Estimated timing to complete the Action: Letter sent 2 February 2009. Some follow-up work anticipated to clarify jurisdictional issues/concerns.

Completed Tasks:

Advisory letter to parties [Filing A21043]

4.3 Develop Compliance Process

Use existing audit, inspection and enforcement tools to develop an approach to measuring performance of a Retirement and Reclamation Plan (RRP) in the abandonment phase. Estimated timing to complete the Action: 2010.

Completed Tasks:

RRP Table of Contents template drafted for discussion.

Shared RRP template with provincial regulators, a landowner association and industry associations.

Upcoming Tasks:

Identify applicable compliance tools and performance measures.

Draft a Guideline for the RRP compliance approach.

4.4 - Multi-Stakeholder Study Group

Develop terms of reference and seek support and participation from stakeholders. Estimated timing to complete the Action: End of March 2010. Subsequent activities will be ongoing.

Completed Tasks:

Reviewed submissions to participate on a Pipeline Abandonment Physical Issues Committee and confirmed Committee membership as: 12 members, 8 Alternate Members and 4 official Observers. Membership is based on 4 members for each of public, industry and regulatory sectors.

Upcoming Tasks:

Advise all interested parties about the membership of the Committee.

Hold first meeting on 23 March 2010.

4.5 Assess Need for Agreements/Protocols

Initiate discussion with industry and other jurisdictions to determine the need for agreements and protocols. Participate as required on an on-going basis to ensure efficient outcomes. Estimated timing to complete the Action: December 2009.

Completed Tasks:

Contacted nine jurisdictions that have NEB regulated pipelines.

Met with several regulators to explain the NEB abandonment approach and seek feedback on Action 4.5.

Met with industry associations and determined there was no need for ongoing involvement.

Upcoming Tasks:

Produce a summary report on discussions with provincial and territorial jurisdictions.

4.6 Address Stream 3 Outcomes

Assess and respond, as appropriate to the need to address physical abandonment issues, after outcomes of Stream 3 technical conference are identified. Estimated timing to complete the Action: December 2009.

Upcoming Tasks:

No Stream 3 outcomes on physical issues other than those already accommodated under existing Stream 4 actions were identified from the Stream 3 Reasons for Decision RH-2-2008 or the Technical Conference held in November 2009 so there is no need to announce Board intentions for further action through Action 4.6.